D&D 5e Point Buy
Calculator
Build your character's ability scores using the official 27-point buy system. Spend your points, see your modifiers update in real time, and get ready for the table.
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What Is Point Buy 5e?
Point buy 5e is one of the three standard methods for generating ability scores in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, alongside rolling 4d6-drop-the-lowest and standard array. The 27-point buy system gives every player the same budget to build their character's six ability scores — Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma — starting from a base of 8. This method is the most popular choice for organized play and competitive character building because it removes randomness entirely. You decide exactly where every point goes, creating a character that fits your class and playstyle without relying on luck.
The standard point buy 5e rules are straightforward. You have 27 points to spend, and each ability score begins at 8, costing zero points. As you increase a score, the point cost rises. Going from 8 to 9 costs 1 point, but pushing from 14 to 15 costs 2 points. This escalating cost curve means you cannot max out every stat — you have to make meaningful choices about where to invest. The maximum any single score can reach is 15, and the minimum stays at 8. After point buy, racial bonuses, feats, and class features can raise your scores further, often pushing your primary ability to 16 or 17 at first level.
The point buy 5e chart below shows exactly how many points each score costs. Use this reference when planning your character build, and our calculator will handle the math in real time as you adjust your scores.
How Does Point Buy 5e Work?
The 27-point buy system is one of the standard methods for generating ability scores in D&D 5e. It gives you precise control over your character's strengths and weaknesses without leaving anything to chance.
Point Buy 5e Chart
| Score | Point Cost | Modifier |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | 0 | -1 |
| 9 | 1 | -1 |
| 10 | 2 | +0 |
| 11 | 3 | +0 |
| 12 | 4 | +1 |
| 13 | 5 | +1 |
| 14 | 7 | +2 |
| 15 | 9 | +2 |
Best Point Buy 5e Spreads by Class
Not sure where to spend your 27 points? These recommended spreads use all 27 points and are optimized for each class's primary abilities. Apply any preset above as a starting point, then adjust to fit your character concept.
Barbarian
STR 15 · DEX 14 · CON 15 · INT 8 · WIS 10 · CHA 8
Maximize STR and CON for melee power and hit points. 14 DEX boosts AC with Unarmored Defense.
Fighter
STR 15 · DEX 14 · CON 14 · INT 10 · WIS 12 · CHA 8
Balanced martial build with solid AC and saves. Swap STR/DEX for archery or finesse builds.
Paladin
STR 15 · DEX 10 · CON 14 · INT 8 · WIS 10 · CHA 15
Prioritize STR and CHA for Divine Smite and Aura of Protection. CON keeps you alive.
Rogue
STR 8 · DEX 15 · CON 14 · INT 10 · WIS 13 · CHA 12
DEX is king for AC, attacks, and skills. WIS and CHA round out saving throws and social skills.
Wizard
STR 8 · DEX 14 · CON 15 · INT 15 · WIS 10 · CHA 8
Max INT for spellcasting. 14 DEX gives AC without armor. CON 15 with racial bonus hits 16.
Cleric
STR 14 · DEX 10 · CON 14 · INT 8 · WIS 15 · CHA 12
WIS drives your spells. STR for melee clerics, CON for concentration saves and durability.
Frequently Asked Questions About Point Buy 5e
How does point buy work in 5e?
Point buy in 5e is a method for generating ability scores where you start with a pool of 27 points and six ability scores all set to 8. You spend points to increase each score up to a maximum of 15. Each increase costs a different number of points — the higher the score, the more expensive it becomes. This ensures every character is built on a level playing field with no luck involved.
How to do point buy in 5e?
To do point buy in 5e, start with all six ability scores at 8. You have 27 points to spend. Click the plus button on each ability to increase it — each increase costs points from your pool. The cost per increase goes up as scores get higher: 1 point for scores 8–13, and 2 points for scores 14–15. Keep increasing until you run out of points or reach the maximum score of 15.
How many points in point buy 5e?
The standard point buy in D&D 5e gives you exactly 27 points to spend. This is the official rule from the Player's Handbook. All six ability scores start at 8 (costing 0 points), and you distribute your 27 points across them. The maximum any single score can reach is 15, and the minimum stays at 8. You cannot go below 8 or above 15 with point buy alone.
What is point buy in 5e?
Point buy is one of the three standard methods for generating ability scores in D&D 5e, alongside rolling 4d6-drop-the-lowest and standard array. It gives you a budget of 27 points to distribute across six ability scores (Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma), starting from a base of 8. It is the most popular method for organized play because it removes randomness entirely.
What is the point buy system in 5e?
The point buy system in 5e is the official character creation method where you receive 27 points to build your ability scores. Each score begins at 8 and costs 0 points. As you raise a score, the point cost increases: 8→9 costs 1 point, 9→10 costs 1 point, and so on, up to 14→15 which costs 2 points. No score can go below 8 or above 15. After point buy, racial bonuses and feats can raise scores further.
How to use point buy in 5e?
To use point buy in 5e, decide which ability scores matter most for your class. For example, a wizard should prioritize Intelligence, while a fighter should focus on Strength or Dexterity. Use the calculator above to adjust scores — the remaining points update in real time. Once you spend all 27 points (or get as close as possible), your ability scores are set. Apply racial bonuses afterward to reach scores of 16 or 17.
Is point buy better than rolling in 5e?
Point buy is generally considered fairer and more predictable than rolling. Rolling can produce wildly different results — one player might get all 15s while another gets mostly 8s — creating party imbalance. Point buy lets you tailor your stats to your class without relying on luck. The main drawback is that you cannot get exceptionally high scores (max 15 before bonuses) or extremely low dumps (min 8). Many tables prefer point buy for balanced play.
What are the pros and cons of point buy in D&D 5e?
Pros: guaranteed balanced stats, no luck dependency, full control over your build, fair for all players, and perfect for organized play.
Cons: maximum score is 15 (no 18s at level 1), minimum is 8 (no true dump stats), less variety between characters since everyone has the same budget, and it removes the excitement of rolling for stats. Overall, point buy is the preferred method for competitive and optimization-focused games.